The document discusses potential distributors for a new indie music magazine called Ongaku. Time Inc. and Bauer Media Group are considered. Time Inc. distributes magazines like NME but only digitally, while Bauer distributes magazines like Kerrang! in both digital and print formats. Though Bauer's Kerrang! competes for a similar audience, Bauer has more experience with media magazines and would distribute Ongaku in print, making them the recommended distributor over Time Inc.

1. What kind of media institution
might distribute your media
product and why?
By Amy Cousins

2. My
Music
Magazine

3. Genre
• The genre of my music
magazine is indie which
means I would need a
distributor who specialises in
that area. This is because
they would know how to
appeal to my target
demographic and get the
largest amount of profit
possible.

5. Who are Time Inc.?
• Time Inc. are a British
magazine distribution
company who were founded
in 1968. They distribute
around 63 magazines in the
UK. This includes well
known magazines such as:
TV Times, Woman’s
Weekly, Marie Claire and
NME.

6. NME
• NME is one of the magazines I
used as influence for my media
product - Ongaku. I used this
as it features alternative artists
such as Alex Turner from The
Arctic Monkeys. Moreover, I
like the layout of this magazine
which resulted in me
transferring some of the
conventions over to Ongaku.

7. Why would they distribute
Ongaku?
• I believe Time Inc would distribute my magazine as
Ongaku would attract a wide range of people who would
enjoy consuming my media product. This would be a
positive outcome for them as they will get a higher profit.
Moreover, NME is the only music magazine Time Inc sell.
This means there is an open window for more modern
music magazines.

8. Why would they not
distribute Ongaku?
• It could be argued that Time Inc would not distribute
Ongaku due to the format I want it to be in. This is due to
the fact that NME is only available online via e-books and
I want my media product to be consumed via paper. I
believe only having my magazine available via the
internet would hinder my sales. Also, NME is an Indie
magazine which could result in them not wanting to sell
another magazine of the same genre.

10. Who are Bauer Media
Group?
• Bauer Media Group (Bauer
Verlagsgruppe) is a German
media company which was
founded in 1875. It deals
with many platforms of
media such as: radio,
magazines, digital and
television. They are well
known for distributing
magazines such as:
Kerrang!, Empire and Heat.

11. Kerrang!
• Like NME, Kerrang! was one
of the magazines I
researched. However,
Kerrang! has higher sales
than NME and is distributed
digitally and through hard
copy. Although, Kerrang!
focuses more on rock music
whereas NME is more indie
based.

12. Why would they distribute
Ongaku?
• Bauer deal with more media based magazines e.g.
Empire; films and blockbusters, whereas Time Inc
distribute more hobby based magazines. This obviously
shows Bauer would be more inclined to sell my product
as it would appeal to people who buy their existing media
magazines. Furthermore, they do not sell any indie
magazines which means there is a gap in their company
for a product like mine.

13. Why would they not
distribute Ongaku?
• Kerrang! is a very popular music magazine which appeals
to the same demographic as Ongaku. Due to this, Bauer
may not feel the need to sell another magazine that is
similar to their most popular one. This may result in
money loss for me and Bauer.

14. Time Inc.
Positives
• Ongaku would appeal to a niche
audience
Negatives
• Ongaku would probably only be
available on a digital format
• NME is also an Indie magazine
• NME is available for free which
would mean consumers would be
more likely to go for the free option

15. Bauer
Positives
• Is experienced at distributing
different media magazines
• Ongaku would be available in
different formats
• Open market for an indie
magazine
Negatives
• Kerrang! would still dominate as
the most popular music magazine

16. Who would be the best
distributor?
I believe the best company to distribute Ongaku would be
Bauer Verlagsgruppe. They have more experience dealing
with media magazines than Time Inc. Moreover, my product
would be guaranteed to be sold in a paper format whereas
Time Inc would probably sell it digitally which would
probably hinder my sales.